a promotion, Ian Kirk, the CEO of South Africa’s biggest short term insurer, Santam, has been appointed deputy group executive of parent company, Sanlam, with effect from January next year.

Santam, which is majority-owned by Sanlam, which is South Africa’s second biggest life insurer, said the procedure to hire a new CEO at Santam would be kick-started soon and an announcement will be made after the search has been concluded.

Kirk will remain CEO at Santam until the succession process is completed.

As the Deputy Group CEO of Sanlam, Kirk will take care of the operational business entities and will report to the Sanlam Group CEO, Dr Johan van Zyl.

The board of directors of Sanlam plans to appoint Kirk to the position of Group CEO when Van Zyl steps down at the end of next year. This move is an integral part of Sanlam’s succession planning strategy and the execution of an even leadership transition.

Kirk has been at the helm of Sanlam for many years and the company has done well under his leadership.

Last week, Santam reported considerably improved underwriting results for the six months ended June 2014 compared to the corresponding period in 2013.

This was on the back of a substantial turnaround in the crop insurance business and an improved contribution from all major business units.

Satisfactory gross written premium growth of 10 percent, excluding cell captive insurance business, was achieved in the context of a difficult economic environment.